Work & Woes

There was sweet chatter of birds, distant honking of cars and an utter stillness in the room.

Suddenly, the serenity was shattered as high octave music went off. However, nimble fingers reached out quick and dismissed the noise. And once the calm had prevailed, the said fingers slithered back under the cream duvet and a mop of jet black hair moved, gradually eyes fluttered open slightly and took notice of the clock on the wall, hanging right above the Plasma display.

6 am.

Soon after, two arms shot out from under the duvet and stretched in an almost bizarre manner before the duvet was grabbed and pulled over, as the strands of black disappeared inside.

And then the phone went off again.

A groan. A really loud groan echoed and the duvet was hurled all the way over to the legs of the bed.

And eyes flew open, blinking in quick succession as the browns settled on the star stickers glowing slightly, in the now disappearing darkness of the room.

And apparently, the ringing continued.

Squeezing shut in annoyance before opening for good, the person reached out for the phone with one hand while using the other to push the stray strands disturbing their sight.

The ringing died down in the process before coming to life again and finally the green icon was slid to right and the speaker was turned on.

"Good morning, baldy—

"For the last time", a mildly irritated voice interrupted, as the peaceful browns now swam with schemes of murder, "I am not bald!"

--apparent!" The voice on the other side completed.

"And what does that mean?" the other person quipped, fingers now carefully untangling the wild tangles in front of their face.

"The last time I was over, you already had stashed enough hair to make two wigs…it's already a mystery how you still have enough hair to comb!" the man at the other end replied, an undertone of amusement in his voice.

"F*ck off. If you called to discuss my hair woes, and then get lost….and yes, get bald soon!" And in response, only a cackle echoed across the room while a smile broke out on their face too.

"Exactly what I wanted to hear the first thing in the morning!" the man at the other end deadpanned, "But no. I called you to share that I'm going to Trove".

And brows scrunched, "Trove?"

"Trove desert, Miragna district…ring any bells?" A quick realization dawned, as brown eyes widened and all sleep left as the person shifted to sit on the bed, straightening up their rolled over T-shirt in the process

"You are going to participate in that Treasure race!" They exclaimed, almost groaning as he agreed.

"A sapphire for you if I win!"

"Danny, Trove's dangerous. Those deserts are famed as treacherous", they tried to deter him from going but to no avail.

"Jennyy!" Danny bellowed from the other end, as the aforementioned woman sighed.

"I've been in far more dangerous situations so don't fret. I just called to inform that reception over there will be rather poor so don't lose your hair if your calls don't connect. I will give you a call same day, same time next week"

"But-

"So bye!"

And with that the call disconnected. Sighing in exasperation, she left the bed and decided to get ready for the day. 30 minutes later, emerging from the bathroom dressed in a plain pink shirt and white trousers; she pulled her hair back into a pony tail and stepped out of her room into the living room. Walking across to the kitchen, she retrieved a casserole from the refrigerator and placed it in the microwave. And while waiting, her eyes shifted to the calendar stuck on the cabinet and her nose scrunched at the red circles.

Two installments. And a fortnight. That's it.

Once done with the breakfast, she exited her apartment and took the elevator to the ground parking, where she got into her white Endeavour and drove off, to her office.

Singhal Agency- You ask, we investigate

Jennifer sighed, her eyes scanning the empty ledger as she flipped the pages backward to pause at the last entry. It was 7 months back. Her features worsened at its implications. At this rate, she will have to close this agency, and start scouring for a job. Year 2035 had marked the beginning of age of information. Data had become a valuable commodity, and soon concerned courses had found their footing in institutions of eminence. She had actually dropped out of her major halfway to pursue a course in investigative studies, and had successfully landed a job through college placements. 3 years later, leaving her workplace with the experience she had acquired, she had started an agency of her own and invested her savings on renting this small space in the main city. Things had started off smooth and within a year, she had bought herself a cozy flat in the suburbs. Good times barely stayed put though. Her first official hire, Selena had sold a client's details in black, which had been a violation of the privacy rules put in place by government and as a result, her agency had been blacklisted for 4 months. And once the inhibitions were lifted, she was only left with bad reputation and uncertainties.

She groaned hard. She was 2 months behind the rent, and the installment for her vehicle was due this 17. Her savings were almost gone. And then there was Matt. Damn!

"Jennifer, we've got a case!" The aforementioned man stormed in, his disheveled blonde hair falling on his spectacles as his gorgeous blue eyes shined through. With hope.

She perked up, as he walked over to her table and handed her a fax. Her eyes quickly skimmed over the details, and as browns met blue, she gleamed as he let go of the breath he had been holding. Matt had joined after Selena and had stayed, despite the difficulties. She was so going to pay him this month, even if it cost her rebuttal from the bank. Repercussions be damned.

As he settled into his seat, opposite from hers, her gaze shifted to the photo that was stapled to the fax. She knew what she had to do.

~*~*~*~*~

Devil's Lair

"That's one hell of a cut".

Browns sparkled at the compliment as slender fingers combed back the bangs falling over her forehead, and they fell over again. "Cap'n Marvel rocks!"

"Cheers to that!" The man echoed, sliding a vodka glass over the counter.

In one quick motion, the shot was emptied as the glass was slammed down and the browns shifted to the Titan on her wrist and then quickly flickered across the space. Loud music blared in the background as the DJ worked his fingers on the system and people grooved to the beats while some simply reveled in the atmosphere with their company.

"You look like a woman on mission".

She whipped her head towards the man, strands of black dancing along. "Nothing beats you", The woman quipped, her kohled almond eyes appraising his lean frame hidden behind the crisp white shirt.

Her lips quirked as he only shook his head in response, gently straightening his black vest. With seasoned ease, he turned towards the cabinet on his back, and retrieving a Budweiser, uncorked its cap as the liquid flowed into a glass and soon the man was gliding towards a blonde, four paces on her left.

She downed yet another shot and swung her seat around only to come to a sudden halt.

F*ck. Gorgeous. She was drop-dead-and-continue-to-dream-on gorgeous. Jennifer stared unabashed at the red haired beauty, a few meters away, gracefully lounging in the sofa seat, her right leg crossed over her left. Never had she seen a human this pretty!

She would've written the scarlet a sonnet, had the jade orbs not clashed with her browns. Caught red handed, Jennifer gasped and immediately swung her seat around. What eyes!

"Fancy someone", Nick, the bartender asked, the corner of his lips twitching at the scowl of disapproval coming his way.

"Only the ones who'll never fancy me", Jennifer replied, willing her neck straight, that eagerly wanted to see those jades once more.

"I beg to differ"

She looked at him, as his bluish grey eyes signaled over her shoulders. She had barely furrowed her brows in question when a deep voice interrupted.

"Mind if I join?"